USS RASHER (SS 269)

Keel Laid - May 4, 1942

Launched - December 20, 1942

Commissioned - June 8, 1943

USS Rasher made eight war patrols during World War II. During the first five patrols Rasher sank more tonnage of enemy shipping than any other submarine in history, except USS Flasher. Rasher was credited with sinking eighteen ships for a total of 99,901 tons of shipping. She also damaged 62,481 tons of shipping.

Rasher earned seven Battle Stars, four Navy Crosses, twelve Silver Stars, sixteen Bronze Stars, one Legion of Merit, one Navy & Marine Corps Medal, six Commendations, and a Presidential Unit Citation. The value of enemy cargoes and combat loaded troopships which Rasher prevented from reaching a destination is impossible to estimate. In terms of Japanese soldiers who never arrived to fight, ammunition which didn't arrive to be fired at U.S. troops and enemy planes which never got in the air, USS Rasher's contribution to the war effort was tremendous.

In 1951 Rasher was first converted to a radar picket submarine (SSR) and then to an auxiliary submarine (AGSS) in 1961, serving with Pacific Fleet out of San Diego, CA earning two more Battle Stars before being stricken from the Naval Register in 1971.

USS Rasher running on Lake Michigan

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is currently in our Winter season. Please click here for more information on our daily hours and submarines tour times. Tours are available throughout the day as needed, and are currently offered five days a week, weather permitting. Tour times vary by season. Allow three to four hours to fully explore both the Museum and tour USS Cobia. Group tours are available anytime with an advance reservation.